Themes

In this section, we are going to present you some of the most important themes of the story.…

...

Growing up

This is an important theme in the short story, as it is related to Laura’s transition from childhood to maturity. After her graduation, her relationship with her father transforms: they are not as close as they used to be, her father’s entering jail made them grow apart, and her college interests are different than the ones her father knew. Her new attitude is a …

...

Divorce and guilt

Another important theme in the story is the theme of divorce. Norton and his wife divorced when Laura was still little and “a nanny – usually a college girl – had delivered Laura for vacations” (ll. 97-98). Norton’s sense of guilt for the disunity in their family manifested itself in him paying alimony for his ex-wife even after their daughter came of age:…